The next day, Li Cheng's two trusted retainers pulled him from his bed, his body still reeking of alcohol.

To them, this was merely another instance of their young master's usual hangovers.

"My apologies for keeping you all waiting."

By the time Li Cheng arrived in the courtyard, the other cultivators had already been waiting for a while.

He greeted Duan Yong, then nodded with a smile toward Yang Lingrui, who returned the gesture with a polite bow.

The site where the ancient tomb had manifested was a low-lying basin.

According to Duan Yong, this area had been a settlement for several minor cultivation clans long ago.

Later, it had completely vanished during a catastrophic earthquake.

"It is right ahead, as everyone can see."

Following the direction of Duan Yong's finger, the crowd spotted a purplish-black protrusion rising from the depression.

Drawing closer, they could clearly discern a square structure tilting upward.

At its exact center lay a circular main gate designed to part to both sides.

"The dome of heaven over the square earth. Interesting. No wonder you had to seek reinforcements to crack this," Li Cheng remarked.

Admiration shone in Duan Yong's eyes. "As expected of Young Master Li, truly a man of vast erudition. You discerned it at a single glance, whereas I had to pore over it for quite some time."

"Enough, enough, save the flattery. Since you have brought us here, you must have located all the nodes. Let us move quickly."

"Ah, right away!"

This design, mirroring the round heaven and square earth, was a form of restrictive formation.

It required locating the four corners of the underground square, the four intersections where the circle met the square, and the central point-nine nodes in total.

Only by simultaneously injecting sufficient spiritual power into these nine locations could the formation be activated.

Duan Yong divided the cultivators into eight groups according to their cultivation realms, leaving Li Cheng alone to manage the central node. They each took their positions upon the markers.

"Once the formation is activated, we cannot foresee what anomalies may arise. Fellow Daoists, exercise caution."

After offering this word of caution, Duan Yong bellowed, "Rise!"

The cultivators at the eight nodes simultaneously drove their spiritual power into the ground beneath their feet. The spiritual energy coursed below the surface, tracing the lines of the array until a brilliant formation shroud enveloped the entire group.

Rumble-

With the activation of the formation, the entire basin began to shudder violently.

Yang Lingrui and Zhao Qi stood at the same position, steadying their footing while maintaining a continuous output of spiritual power.

"Senior Brother, look around us."

"Mm, I see it. It appears the activation is nearing completion."

At each of the eight nodes, pillars of light soared skyward, enclosing the cultivators who were channeling their energy.

"Gah... Haa!-"

The next moment, accompanied by sinister, rasping screeches, ethereal blue ghosts began to crawl out from the earth, solidifying into shape within the area.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The cultivators struck out in rapid succession, shattering the spectral entities before they could fully materialize.

Yet this was merely the beginning. As time ticked past, the cultivation realms of the emerging ghosts grew increasingly formidable.

"Blast it! They are already at the second layer of Qi Gathering?"

"Fellow Daoist, watch your flank!"

"Do not hold back!"

The majority of the cultivators gathered here possessed only the first or second layer of the Qi Gathering realm. Facing second-layer ghosts, they dared not show the slightest carelessness.

Should an error occur, sustaining injuries would be a minor grievance; they could easily forfeit their lives.

On Yang Lingrui's side, however, these ghosts posed no threat whatsoever due to his presence.

Zhao Qi observed closely from the flank and noticed that whenever a ghost was destroyed, it dissolved into a wisp of green vapor that drifted toward the ancient tomb's entrance within the formation.

He attempted to strike the green vapor with his Golden Light Art and discovered it could be dispersed.

"Senior Brother."

He quickly called out to Yang Lingrui, reporting his discovery.

Yang Lingrui looked up and raised his palm, conjuring a miniature whirlwind above their heads. Every time a wisp of green vapor rose, it was instantly torn apart by the vortex.

It was at this exact moment that Duan Yong's voice rang out again.

"Fellow Daoists, quickly disperse the green vapor! Do not allow it to gather!"

Hearing this, Yang Lingrui swept his gaze across the area and saw a massive silhouette flickering into existence before the tomb entrance.

Because the green vapor had been cut off, the silhouette lost its supply of energy and ceased its rapid growth.

"Junior Brother Zhao, your perception is truly acute. To think you discerned the anomaly even before Town Chief Duan."

"It is merely a minor knack, nothing worth mentioning," Zhao Qi replied modestly.

Though he dismissed it, Yang Lingrui thought otherwise.

They were all well aware of the past experiences of Zhao Qi and Wu Tong.

When Zhao Qi was five years old, he had fallen into a river but did not drown, managed to grab a branch, and pulled himself ashore.

At eight, he had lost his way in the mountains for three days and still walked out alive.

During a Beast Tide, he had even managed to escape the pursuit of two wild wolves.

This could not be explained away by mere luck. Even Zhao Dapeng himself remained unaware of just how extraordinary his son's innate capabilities were.

After they had continuously slaughtered the ghosts for a quarter of an hour, the formation finally reached the end of its cycle.

The shrouds of light dissipated, and the massive silhouette solidified completely, transforming into a ghost soldier clad in heavy armor.

However, due to the severe lack of green vapor, its strength ultimate capped out at the third layer of the Qi Gathering realm. Li Cheng stepped forward and shattered it into pieces with a single kick.

With the ghost soldier vanquished, the main gate of the ancient tomb officially ground open.

As the circular doors parted, waves of biting chill rushed out from the dark depths.

The cultivators slowly descended along the stone steps. After walking downward for more than ten zhang, the space before them suddenly expanded.

The first floor of the ancient tomb was exceptionally vast. After a brief discussion, the cultivators decided to form small groups to explore on their own, agreeing to send transmission talismans to notify the others if they discovered the descent to the second floor.

Yang Lingrui and Zhao Qi selected a direction and ventured into the gloom.

The first floor was the shallowest layer of the tomb, and its danger level was remarkably low. The few traps present were only effective against ordinary mortals and posed no threat to cultivators.

Throughout their exploration, they only encountered a handful of corpse ghosts at the first layer of Qi Gathering, all of which were dispatched effortlessly.

"Senior Brother, here is another piece."

Zhao Qi unearthed a dark ore weighing roughly ten jin.

Treasures were scarce on the first floor. The finest items they had come across along the way were these refined ores.

Refined ores could be exchanged directly for Spirit Crystals, making them decent gains.

Just as the two were about to continue their search, they suddenly sensed a fluctuation of spiritual power behind them.

Turning around, they saw a cultivator from the Li family approaching.

The man stepped forward and said, "Fellow Daoists, the entrance to the second floor has been located. The young master sent me to summon you both."

"Thank you for the notice, Fellow Daoist," Yang Lingrui and Zhao Qi replied, offering their thanks.

"Please follow me."

After walking for a short while, they arrived at the eastern sector of the first floor.

Other cultivators were arriving in succession, their eyes fixed on a pitch-black tunnel ahead. It was completely dark, and even their Divine Sense could barely penetrate its depths.

Faced with this unknown depth, many first-layer Qi Gathering cultivators showed hesitant expressions, weighing whether they should risk proceeding.

Li Cheng was conversing with Duan Yong. Spotting Yang Lingrui's arrival, he waved him over.

"Lingrui, you have arrived. Well? Did you uncover any treasures on the first floor?"

"Greetings, Young Master Li, Town Chief Duan. Nothing extraordinary-we merely gathered some refined ores," Yang Lingrui replied.

"That is only natural. The first floor is usually barren. Unless one can deduce hidden chambers from subtle clues, it is difficult to find anything of value."

Li Cheng shrugged and pointed toward the dark tunnel. "Huang Yan and Zheng Huaming grew impatient and have already descended. Now that you are here, come down with me."

"That would be excellent. Lingrui thanks Young Master Li."

"It is nothing, simply a matter of convenience. However, this brother of yours cannot accompany us."

Li Cheng glanced at Zhao Qi, whose cultivation was only at the first layer of Qi Gathering. Entering the second floor would be perilous for him.

Seeing this, Zhao Qi waved his hands repeatedly. "It is quite alright, Senior Brother, Young Master Li. Do not worry about me. I will be perfectly content remaining on the first floor to look around."

Yang Lingrui offered a few words of caution, telling him to stay safe, before following Li Cheng into the dark tunnel.

Duan Yong remained at the entrance. According to his prior agreement with Li Cheng, he would guard this point to serve as an anchor and provide backup should any emergency arise below.

Once the expedition concluded, Li Cheng would allot him a share of the treasures obtained.

Following them, several cultivators at the second and third layers of Qi Gathering also entered the tunnel in pairs.

The remaining large group of first-layer Qi Gathering cultivators began to congregate in small groups, murmuring among themselves.

"Fellow Daoist, we intend to form a party to explore below. Would you care to join us?"

Just as Zhao Qi turned to leave, a cultivator called out to him.

It turned out that a dozen or so first-layer Qi Gathering cultivators were unwilling to return empty-handed and planned to pool their strength to enter the second floor.

Knowing that Zhao Qi belonged to the Yang family and likely possessed reliable capabilities, they wished to recruit him into their ranks.

"No need. I shall remain on the first floor."

Zhao Qi refused decisively, turning on his heel and walking away.

Had he truly desired to descend, he would have followed Yang Lingrui from the beginning rather than waiting until now.

Seeing his swift departure, several of the cultivators sneered with open disdain.

"How cowardly. He lacks even the courage to take a single glance below."

"Indeed. With such a temperament, he is fit only to be a sycophant trailing behind the Yang family's young master."

With those parting words, the group of a dozen or so entered the tunnel.

Duan Yong attempted to offer a few words of dissuasion, but the eager cultivators paid him no heed.

Zhao Qi walked at a leisurely pace. Though the mocking remarks reached his ears, he remained entirely unfazed.

In the past, Zhao Dapeng had frequently reminded him that no matter how great a fortune was, one had to be alive to enjoy it.

He only hoped these individuals would return with their lives intact.

Dismissing those thoughts, Zhao Qi's gaze settled upon a nearby stone pillar.

The first floor of the ancient tomb was lined with numerous pillars of this kind, seemingly designed to support the ceiling.

Yet, as Zhao Qi reviewed the path they had walked, he realized their alignment was uneven and highly peculiar.

"Mm. Since I have some free time now, I might as well investigate this thoroughly."